by Brian Allain
CEO, IEA Training
December 17th, 2024
They say as you get older, time seems to go faster….and I am feeling that these days. This comes to mind as we are wrapping up our third year of what has been the most exciting and challenging part of my career. In terms of time, I can’t believe it has already been three years. In terms of accomplishments, I can’t believe it has only been three years.
We have rebuilt the reputation of this well-established organization while modernizing the coursework and platform to keep up with adult learning trends. This year, we have been hard at work improving our products, while continuing to improve your experience through technology enhancements and exceptional customer service.
Here are some the highlights:
Major Course Updates
We have finally reached the revision finish line for our two flagship certification courses, Certified Professional in Disability Management (CPDM) and Claims Practitioner in Workers’ Compensation (CPWC). Both were reviewed and reworked by top industry experts including Karen Heffernan (formerly with Sedgwick), Ann Kuzee, JD, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CPDM, CHPSE (TELUS Health), and Drew Barthel, MBA, CPDM (Nike). These major course revisions not only improved the quality, accuracy, and relevance of the content, we also enhanced course delivery by adding more variety and great production.
New and Renewed Partnerships
2024 was an exciting year for the professional network of IEA Training. With the courses and platform ready for mass adoption, it was time to connect and partner with new and old friends. Professionals In Human Resources Association (PIHRA), where I started my career, was a natural choice. Through this partnership we are supporting the organization with sponsorship while supporting the members with preferred partner enrollment costs. Another valuable “re-connection” this year, was with an old friend of IEA, the Disability Management Employer Coalition (DMEC). I am excited to be working with Bryon Bass, CLMS, and his team on strategic planning for our involvement in 2025. And we are now offering our community access to hundreds of new HR Micro-courses through our new friends and partners at microHR, powered by HRCP.
Industry Leading Customer Service
Well, for those of you who have had the pleasure of interacting with Malaysia Alston, our Sr. Account Manager, you know what I am talking about. I get weekly emails from clients just to let me know what a pleasure it is to work with her. As I am writing this, I received another stating “She’s a rockstar” and “one in a million”. Exceptional customer service is our new standard. Our team ensures every support inquiry is addressed within 24 business hours and now with our advanced CRM and Live Chat Bot, we continue to provide support, even when we are not available.
A Customer-Focused Website
Yes, really, we revised the website again. Keeping up with industry trends, privacy changes, site speed, SEO, etc., is challenging. The most important part of a website is getting a visitor to their desired content as quickly as possible. With feedback from our community, we created a website that is sleek, streamlined, and easier to navigate. It’s like swapping out a flip phone for a smartphone—same purpose, way better experience.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Small but mighty, the IEA team has been working so hard to make these improvements a reality and the transitions smooth. Embracing a start-up mindset, we’ve taken on multiple roles, wearing many hats to rebuild IEA from the ground up. I must recognize Martina Quinn, our Marketing Manager, and Malaysia Alston, our Sr. Account Manager, for their hard work this year, and years past, to help build this vision. We were lucky to bring on our newest team member to build our Corporate Accounts Division. Bill Roberts joined the team in August and brings 25+ years of sales experience, in-depth knowledge of the insurance industry, and the problem-solving skills to help our clients resolve their talent challenges. With Bill’s insights, our team has a greater understanding of the needs of our clients.
On the Road Again in 2025
With many of these major projects hitting a finish line, it is time for IEA Training to get out of the office more. We have booked exhibits and sponsorships with many great organizations including Professionals In Human Resources Association (PIHRA), Disability Management Employer Coalition (CPDM), The Executives In Workers’ Compensation and Risk (EWC), Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), and California Coalition on Workers’ Compensation (CCWC). We are looking forward to being out with our professional communities.
If you are new to IEA Training, we look forward to helping you through your professional development journey to reach the outcome you desire. If you have known IEA for a while, come take another look. We have been busy and are ready to train your direct reports!
